Gary was born on March 21, 1945 in Ontario, OR to Glen and Ordella Rogers. He attended Ontario schools, graduating in 1963. Gary married Linda Chilman in 1965. Gary and Linda were blessed with Jill, Robert, and Sean. Gary and Linda divorced in 1976. Gary then married Karen Longstroth in 1977. To that marriage Gary gained two step-daughters, Lori Lynn and Deawn. Gary and Karen divorced in 1980. In 1981 Gary began a relationship with Linda (Eisenhart) Bagnall and from that relationship he gained a stepdaughter, Kim, and a stepson, Jeremy. Linda and Gary separated in 1998. In 2003 Gary married Lela Peterson. From that relationship he gained a stepdaughter, Lynsey, and a stepson, Philip.
Gary received his Associates in Science from TVCC in 1967. He worked many years as an outside sales representative for Powell’s Office Supply in Ontario. In 1977 he opened his own business, Speedy Office Systems, in Payette. In 1999, Gary went to work for Greif’s Music Center in Payette, ID, working in both outside sales and as an instrument repair technician.
Gary was a member of Payette Lions Club and was a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award recipient. His love of youth and his children drew him to coach Little League baseball for 7 years. He was an avid bowler and sponsored several teams. He was a long-time member of the Payette Church of the Nazarene.
Most of all, he will be remembered for his storytelling, sense of humor, love of children, drag racing his 1955 Chevy convertible, his love of all things mechanical, his endless list of projects—Including ones he planned for his children’s houses, and his incredible cooking. His outgoing, loving spirit was evident in his interactions with those who knew him.
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Glen Rogers, stepfather, Dick Raffety, and his stepdaughter, Kim Prohaska. He is survived by his loving wife, Lela. He is further survived by his mother, Della (JC Moore) Raffety, his sister, Sue (Harold) Schmierer, and his brother, Steven Rogers. His surviving children include his daughter, Jill (John) Wallin, sons, Robert (Maureen) Rogers and Sean (Stephan Puterbaugh) Rogers, stepdaughters Lori Lynn (Alan) Hallifax, Deawn (Deni) Herrmann, Lynsey (William Stoddard) Peterson, and stepsons Jeremy (Hillory) Eisenhart, and Philip (Sarah) Peterson. Gary leaves four grandchildren, Matthew Wallin, Ryan McSweeney, Tracy McSweeney, and Sarah Prohaska.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice.
